The issue of climate change and finding ways to live more sustainably and ethically is one of the biggest challenges facing modern society. With research indicating that we use two million plastic bags per minute worldwide and that by 2050, there will be more plastic bags than fish in the sea, it is clear that urgent action is needed now.
Gabriel Moreno, who is studying for his Masters in Latin American Economics at Oxford University, and his father, Alex, who has a science background and is a fellow of the royal academy of engineering, wanted to help.
The father and son team decided to create a fully sustainable textile alternative to materials such as plastics and synthetic leathers. They spent five years researching and designing their Fique fabrics, which they claim uses just 10 per cent of the energy needed to make the same quantity in Nylon.
In developing and patenting the Fiquetex process, Alex and Gabriel Moreno worked with the Royal Academy of Engineering in London to perfect their disruptive, innovative process.
The competition judges were impressed by the stylish and durable Fique fabric, which can be used to make carrier bags, packaging material, scouring pads and cut flower wrapping as an alternative to the current unsustainable plastic alternatives.
Gabriel and Alex will now produce the Fique Vegan Leather, which is adaptable for all industries. The production plant will be based in Medellin, Colombia, close to the raw materials and farmers who harvest them. Gabriel will complete his masters and then focus on business development and marketing, including distributing the materials, for example, to fashion retailers searching for green alternatives.
Fiquetex’s unique and patented circular economy process means that production will benefit the environment and broader communities. This includes the local farmers who harvest the plant and the soil that will receive nutrients, as the Fique materials will biodegrade in just 100 days after being buried in the ground once their useful life is over. The Fique plant also absorbs Co2 when alive, further helping to reduce harmful emissions in the environment.